Undergraduate Education

UCLA offers an astonishing breadth of academic opportunities. When you’re here, you can explore all of your interests to create a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Beyond the sheer number of fascinating fields of study, our innovative curriculum and award-winning faculty will encourage you to expand the limits of what you believe to be possible.

And our location in Los Angeles, one of the most dynamic, diverse and culturally rich cities in the world, opens up countless opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Two photos of students walking in front of Royce Hall and on the Hill. Two photos of students walking in front of Royce Hall and on the Hill.

Academic Experience

Small, Interactive Classes

Our compact class sizes enable you to work closely with our amazing faculty and get to know other students. Two out of three UCLA classes have 30 or fewer students. Even smaller are the 200 freshman seminars called “Fiat Lux” (Let There Be Light), each with an intriguing topic and only 10–20 students.

Fiat Lux

Interdisciplinary Programs

If you are interested in academic disciplines combined in innovative ways, consider interdepartmental majors like global studies, environmental science or neuroscience — taught in collaboration with both medical school and life sciences faculty. Freshmen can also take a yearlong series of classes with a unifying theme through our Cluster Program. In Clusters, students examine a big idea, like interracial dynamics, from a wide variety of perspectives. The courses are taugh collaboratively by an interdisciplinary team of distinguished faculty and experienced graduate students.

Cluster Program
Students participating in classroom presentations, laughing together, and learning in a science lab Students participating in classroom presentations, laughing together, and learning in a science lab

Original Research

Over half of our students graduate with research experience in the humanities as well as social sciences, engineering and laboratory sciences. You can pursue your own research interests or work alongside faculty, participate in field research or explore library treasures. Some undergraduates even publish in academic journals.

Research

Internships, Fellowships and More

Participate in internships, fellowships, community service and other experiential learning opportunities to gain real-world experience, sharpen skills and make valuable connections. Our Career Center makes it easy for you to find opportunities both on and off campus. In Los Angeles, home to major industries including entertainment, tech, aerospace, automotive, government and finance, there are jnternships to suit every interest. Fellowships offer short-term learning opportunities in a wide array of fields; they’re an excellent way to broaden your learning experience. And with over 1,000 student clubs and organizations, leadership workshops, community-related projects and entrepreneurship opportunities, you can pursue current passions and discover new ones.

Internships and Experiential Learning

Study Abroad

Choose from 115 study abroad programs at select institutions in more than 40 countries. From formal classroom study to field research, studying abroad through UCLA allows you to fully immerse yourself in the global community.

Study Abroad